Sheriff’s jail warning after curfew breach

A man who breached court curfew conditions has been warned he will be jailed if he repeats the offence.

William Pillar defied a restriction of liberty order confining him to his thenhome on Altnacreag Gardens in Moodiesburn on June 13 last year.

The 36- year- old chose to ignore his tagging conditions by taking on work in Aberdeen instead.

Pillar, whose current address was given as no fixed abode, admitted the breach and returned to Airdrie Sheriff Court last week to face the music.

His defence lawyer said: “He is a contractor and will respond to urgent calls to repair and replace cabling.

“He had a number of outstanding cases at that time and, on that day, he was instructed by his employer to attend in Aberdeen. He took the decision that he couldn’t take any more time off work.

“He did everything he possibly could to get home in time, but didn’t. He was stuck between a rock and a hard place, and took the wrong decision.

“He regrets it now and is fully aware it will have consequences.”

Sheriff Derek O’Carroll then handed down the following stern sentencing to Pillar: “You are no stranger to these courts; you deliberately flouted an order and the price for that is £670 [fine]. This would’ve been £1000 if not for your plea.

“Attached to that; this fine is an alternative to jail. If you don’t pay the fine as instructed, then you will go directly to jail and you will not pass go.”